Mark Zuckerberg makes UFC demand in firm response to Elon Musk

11 August 2023 , 22:02

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Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are not on the same page regarding arrangement for their fight (Image: Getty Images)

Mark Zuckerberg is adamant about wanting to work with the UFC or another similar organisation on any potential fight against Elon Musk.

The comments contrast with those coming from the Twitter owner earlier in the day. Friday saw Musk specifically state that the UFC would not be managing the fight and instead that responsibility would come down to the billionaire's respective foundations.

Various other claims about a prospective fight were made by Musk that Zuckerberg has himself challenged. The Tesla CEO went into detail about the ways that their bout would be broadcast and even how the coverage would look.

Specifics about the location and where the revenue generated would go were also shared by Musk. However, the Facebook co-founder has clarified his stance on the situation as it stands.

"I love this sport and I've been ready to fight since the day Elon challenged me," Zuckerberg wrote on Threads. "If he ever agrees on an actual date, you'll hear it from me.

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"Until then, please assume anything he says has not been agreed on. Not holding my breath for Elon, but I'll share details on my next fight when I'm ready.

"When I compete, I want to do it in a way that puts a spotlight on the elite athletes at the top of the game. You do that by working with professional orgs like the UFC or ONE to pull this off well and create a great card."

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That version of events differs drastically from Musk's. "The fight will be managed by my and Zuck’s foundations (not UFC)," he posted earlier on Friday. "Livestream will be on this platform and Meta. Everything in camera frame will be ancient Rome, so nothing modern at all.

"I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture. They have agreed on an epic location. Everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy And all proceeds go to veterans."

Interestingly, the latter comments do correlate with what UFC president Dana White discussed on Mike Tyson's “Hotboxin’” podcast earlier this week.

"I actually did have a meeting with the Minister of Culture's team in Italy to actually hold that fight in the Colosseum if it would happen," White said. "We're talking."

"Think about how big that fight is, two of the richest, most powerful guys in the f****** world are gonna fight on the biggest stage ever. Who doesn't wanna see that fight? That's the kind of fight your f****** grandmother would watch, that fight."

While updating the world a day later, Zuckerberg did bookend his rebuttal with an insight into his training. "Separately, here's a photo from today's Friday Morning Fights in my backyard octagon. Good times," he added. The photograph shows Zuck training inside a cage and on top of his opponent, who on mat as the billionaire is kneels on one knee and is in the process of grabbing him around the waist.

Matthew Abbott